Esther N - tips

among salary scales, economy and productivity. Is there any relationship
among these factors?
4. BEE in the ICT sector
What is BEE? It is not an easy concept to define. It embraces involvement of blacks
in the South African economy as whole. A further question will be the scope of
blacks. This is defined by the SDA and EEA.
After apartheid era South Africa finds itself in situations where there is a huge
imbalances of the distribution of wealth. This is a challenge that needs to be faced and
rectified.
Different strategies have been developed to address this challenge. These include
legislation in skills development, gender discrimination, BEE and many others. These
strategies are also helping South African democracy to grow and compete with that of
other countries.
In its struggle to strengthen its democracy, South Africa look at various economic
sectors including ICT. ICT charter is in its way to rectify economic problems of the
country. In this charter BEE is seen as one of the key success to the ICT sector. Why
ICT charter? This is the document that will help in the facilitation and monitoring
process of implementing BEE in ICT sector.
Is South Africa as a country winning in addressing BEE in the ICT sector?
In the ICT charter, there are three phases to the implementation of BEE in the
sector. These phases are :
- Phase one (1994 –1999), experimental and touch of the realities and
challenges. Brian Khumalo, CEO of Leaders Unlimited sees this phase as
the SWOT analysis phase with establishment of BEE Commission, BEE
procurement policy, commencement of privatisation and establishment of
various organisations such as Ntsika, UYF, and many others.
- Phase two (1999 – 2003), This a time of debates from government
representatives, representatives of the ICT sector dominated by the issues,
elitism and enrichment versus real empowerment. Brian explains this is
phase as Strategic objective and goal setting era starting in 2002. This the
time of the development of ICT charter and debates to achieve
implementation of the BEE in ICT.
- Phase three (2004 – onwards), era of cooperation from the industry and
measurability of BEE indicators. Brian explains this as an implementation
era. This is the time when the sector will be monitored by legislation on
compliance of the BEE. During this time the sector will be serious in
implementing BEE. Employers who resisted and put blind eye during the
first and the second phase will be running around to ensure compliance.
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